Essential Information

Executive assistants work in an office setting where they manage appointments, communications and schedules for an upper-level manager. Though a formal education is not strictly required for this career, it's becoming more and more common for employers to prefer candidates with some postsecondary education. Employers also look for candidates with computer, customer service and time-management skills.

Executive Assistant Career Overview

Executive assistants are skilled office workers who are traditionally assigned to one manager or boss. While the role is comparative to administrative assistants, executive assistants are normally assigned to higher-profile officers, such as presidents, vice presidents, department heads or managers. They may also handle more demanding tasks and assignments that may be sensitive or confidential.

The day-to-day duties of an executive assistant often include administrative activities, like typing letters, writing reports, arranging meeting and conference calls, conducting research and overseeing other administrative assistants. Some workers may also arrange their manager's personal schedules or represent him or her at meetings. Much of this work is self-appointed and requires a high degree of professional independence, initiative and self-discipline.

Most administrative assistant positions do not have an education requirement; however, many managers prefer executive assistant candidates with an associate or bachelor's degree in areas such as business or the industry in which they are seeking a job.

Skills and Attributes

Because an executive assistant may be required to make actions for their boss, skills in leadership, critical thinking and organization are three general attributes that employers look for. Other such attributes include troubleshooting, custom service and orderliness. Executive assistants are often called upon to manage both their own time and their boss's time, so time management is a particularly important attribute.

Computer skills are also extremely important for executive assistants. As computer technology becomes more and more widespread, it is increasingly necessary for executive assistants to be proficient in spreadsheet management and word processing, as well as possessing other computer-based skills to digitally manage all manner of daily operations. Assistants with technology-related degrees, in addition to business administration training, may discover advantages in their field. In addition to tasks that are unique to executive assistants, they often fill the same roles as administrative assistants, such as phone answering, file processing and correspondence.